Manatee County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Manatee County bail and bond: the Palmetto jail and how release works
Adults arrested in Manatee County are held at the Manatee County Jail in Palmetto, which the Manatee County Sheriff's Office runs. Find the person in Manatee County Inmate Search for the booking, charges, and bail amount. The jail information line is 941-723-5132, and the sheriff's main number is 941-747-3011. Use those Manatee numbers only for gaps in the search. In Manatee, a judge, not the jail, decides any amount.
Was my husband taken to the Palmetto jail?
Look him up on Manatee County Inmate Search with last name first. The page shows booking and charge details once the intake is done, which can take hours after an arrest. Try again before calling.
When the name still does not appear, phone 941-723-5132. Ask whether he was arrested by another agency, such as a city police department, and whether he has been brought to the county jail yet.
How do I see the bond amount?
The amount shows in the record on Manatee County Inmate Search. Write down every charge and every dollar figure, because Florida requires a separate bail amount and bond for each charge (Florida Statutes 903.02).
In Manatee, an empty bond line usually means no judge has set one. Check the search again after first appearance. The sheriff's desk at 941-747-3011 can tell you how to reach the booking unit.
What are the usual bond amounts for common charges?
Florida's Supreme Court publishes a statewide schedule each year. Order AOSC25-69, valid through December 31, 2026, sets Manatee pre-hearing release from $150 (second-degree misdemeanor, no force) up to $5,000 (third-degree felony with force or threat). A first Manatee DUI charged at the second-degree misdemeanor level is set at $500.
Manatee judges may depart from that schedule. The Twelfth Judicial Circuit can also set higher amounts, so your relative's real figure may differ.
Where and how do I pay at the jail?
Palmetto's jail takes cash, cashier's checks, or money orders as bail. Make Manatee checks and money orders payable to the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court, with the booking number written on them. Cash bonds are described as taken at any hour. Check the amount on Manatee County Inmate Search, then confirm payment details at 941-723-5132 before you go, since lobby rules and card payments change.
Bring a government photo ID and keep every receipt.
Will a bail bond agent be cheaper than paying in full?
In Manatee, it costs less at first, but you never get the fee back. The state's Department of Financial Services lists the premium for a state bond at 10 percent of the bail, so a bail of $10,000 means a $1,000 fee. Once your loved one is out, you cannot get that fee back, whatever happens in the case. Manatee agents must refund the fee if the person never gets out. Under section 648.33, an agent must charge exactly the rate filed with the state.
Get a copy of the Manatee bond contract and a written list of any collateral. Pledged collateral must be returned no later than 21 days after the court discharges the bond. The jail cannot recommend an agent, so compare several licensed ones; the Department of Financial Services takes complaints.
Who decides if the bail can come down?
Only a judge. Florida Statutes 903.011(4) lets the court look again at the money part if the person cannot post it. The judge weighs the factors in section 903.046, including the charge, ties to the area, job, and earlier court appearances. A lawyer should bring proof of work and family to the hearing.
How fast will my son see a judge?
Florida Rule 3.130 sets the Manatee hearing within one day of arrest. Manatee calls this hearing first appearance, and it may happen by video from the jail. A Manatee judge reviews probable cause, rules on release, and can set terms under section 903.047, like no contact with an alleged victim. The Clerk of Circuit Court's felony office, 941-741-4043, or misdemeanor office, 941-741-4019, can point you to the right courtroom.
Can Manatee County land or a house be posted?
Sometimes. Florida law does not give one county-wide checklist for property bonds. Ask the Clerk of Circuit Court at 941-749-1800 how the court handles them: whether land must lie in Manatee County, what equity is needed, and who must sign. Section 903.26 makes a recorded bond a two-year lien on the property. Expect this route to take days.
What does "no bond" mean on the search page?
Often it just means a judge has not decided. Section 903.011(6) keeps some Manatee arrestees jailed until first appearance, like those charged with a felony during probation or pretrial release, registered sexual offenders, and alleged injunction violators.
A Manatee court may refuse bail on a capital or life count when guilt is plain (Article I, section 14 of the Florida Constitution). A probation violation or an out-of-county warrant also holds a person.
Is there a lockup besides the county jail?
Someone picked up by a Manatee city police department may not be in the county jail yet. Get the location and report number from the Manatee arresting agency, then search Manatee County Inmate Search.
How can we afford a lawyer?
Ask the first appearance judge for the Twelfth Circuit Public Defender, whose Manatee office is at 1051 Manatee Avenue West, 7th Floor, Bradenton, 941-747-6436. Manatee lawyers can request lower bail or release under conditions.
Where is a 16-year-old held after an arrest?
The Manatee Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 1803 Fifth Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205, phone 941-741-3023, serves Manatee, Sarasota, and Highlands counties. The state Department of Juvenile Justice runs it. Manatee juvenile records are confidential and may be absent from the adult search.
What if my brother skips court?
A Manatee no-show can bring a warrant and bond forfeiture. The clerk gives notice within five days of a forfeiture under section 903.26, and money is due within 60 days of notice. Bringing the defendant back within 90 days can win back up to all of the money under section 903.28. Call the lawyer and the agent immediately.
When do I get cash bail back?
Once the Manatee case ends and the bond is canceled, the clerk returns cash posted by a non-agent, minus unpaid costs and fees. Manatee agent fees aren't refunded. Hold on to receipts; the Clerk of Circuit Court at 941-749-1800 explains Manatee refunds.
How can I spot a fake Manatee bond payment request?
In Manatee, hang up on callers seeking gift cards, wires, or app payments. Call 941-723-5132 yourself using the number on this page.
What if ICE puts a Manatee jail hold on someone?
- An ICE detainer (Form I-247A) asks the Manatee jail to hold someone longer.
- In Manatee, that means up to 48 more hours.
- Saturdays, Sundays and holidays all count in Manatee.
- Paying a Manatee bond will not lift the detainer.
- The Manatee judge who sets bond learns of it (F.S. 908.105).
- Notice also goes to the Manatee state attorney.
- Every Florida jail sheriff, Manatee included, must join 287(g) (F.S. 908.11).
- For Manatee, ICE's 287(g) list shows:
- Task Force Model
- Warrant Service Officer
- If ICE takes someone from Manatee, search the ICE detainee locator.
Manatee County bail contacts
- Jail
- Manatee County Jail, Palmetto, FL; information line 941-723-5132
- Bond guide
- bail and bond instructions for the jail
- Custody lookup
- Manatee County Inmate Search
- Sheriff's office
- Manatee County Sheriff's Office; main line 941-747-3011
- Clerk of Court
- Manatee County Courthouse, 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205; main 941-749-1800; criminal felony 941-741-4043, misdemeanor 941-741-4019
- Public defender
- 1051 Manatee Avenue West, 7th Floor, Bradenton, FL 34205; 941-747-6436
- Youth detention
- Manatee Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 1803 Fifth Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205; 941-741-3023
- Statewide schedule
- Supreme Court order AOSC25-69
Manatee may update amounts, hours, payment rules, and phones, and a judge can depart from them. Phone the jail before sending money. This guide is not legal advice for your case.
How do Bail Bonds work at Manatee County Jail
Manatee County Jail Inmate Bond
Information about an arrestee's charge(s) and bond are available by clicking the Arrest Inquiry Link or by calling (941) 723-5132.
You can also get bond amounts by visiting the Central Jail Front Desk, which is open 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM, located in the lobby of the Central Jail...
14470 Harlee Road, Palmetto, Florida.
Things to know:
- Only cash, cashier's checks, or money orders will be accepted.
- Cash bonds are accepted 24-hours-a-day.
- When posting bail, cashiers checks and money orders must be made payable to the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court.
- The inmates booking number should be written on the money order/check.
Manatee County Jail
Address:
14470 Harlee Road
Palmetto, FL 34205
Phone:
941-723-5132
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Manatee County
Does Manatee County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Manatee County?
Who can set bail in Manatee County?
When is bail set in Manatee County Florida?
Does Manatee County have bail?
Yes, Manatee County has bail and recognizes most types of bonds.
As of January 1, 2024, Florida moved to a statewide uniform bond schedule. The uniform bond schedule may change every year. The Manatee County Jail will let you know the amount of the bond.
Under most circumstances your bond amount is set during the booking process, and you are eligible to bond out prior to going to court. Prior to January 1, 2024, each county set their own bond schedule. For more serious crimes, bond will be set at the first appearance.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Manatee County?
Florida offers bail in the form of cash bail or surety bond and bonds from a professional bondsperson.
Who can set bail in Manatee County?
Under most circumstances your bond amount is set during the booking process by a judge, and you are eligible to bond out prior to going to court. Prior to January 1, 2024, each county set their own bond schedule.
For more serious crimes, bond will be set at the first appearance. Bail is set by a judge in accordance with a precalculated schedule based on the seriousness of the offense.
When is bail set in Manatee County Florida?
In most cases bail is set immediately after arrest, based on the precalculated schedule. If a defendant is not eligible for immediate release bail may be set by a judge at the initial court hearing, or arraignment.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Manatee County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance.
The agreement to bail acts as a promise that the arrested will return to court for court dates and trial. Bail usually refers to a dollar amount, but bail can also mean something that has to be done, or a condition such as reporting to an officer of the court, a curfew, restraining orders or attending a treatment program.
Bail is usually a significant enough amount of money and/or condition that the person will be negatively impacted and has incentive to return to court and not flee. A flight risk usually means that the person would flee the area, and not necessary that they are going to take an airplane.
If a judge in Manatee County feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.
Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person will be detained in the Manatee County Jail until the case is resolved or goes to trial.
Bail can be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest. Bail is usually denied in cases of violent offenses.
What is the difference between Bail and Bond?
Bail and bond are used interchangeably to mean the same thing but technically, they are different.
The bail is the amount to be paid and a bond is a signed document promising payment of the bail amount with certain conditions.
Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.
The bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Manatee County or district directly and does not go through the defendant. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.
The thought of being in jail can cause the arrested to panic and try to secure a bond immediately.
DO NOT panic and take the time to understand all the options.
More courts are now trying to work with defendants to make bail work and might provide non-monetary options or even reduce the bail.
Payments to a bond company are not refundable. It is a long process to get back property title or money that was given to the clerk of court or bondsperson to secure the bond. This could put your loved ones into a difficult financial situation.
Another reason not to unnecessarily rush into securing a bond is that if the court notes that you came up with the money to pay a bond company, they may assume you have resources to pay a defense attorney and decline public defense.
On the other hand, as anyone who has ever been involved in their criminal defense understands, fighting your case while ‘out on the streets’ gives you a much better chance of either winning, or getting a more favorable sentence.
What are the different types of bonds in Manatee County?
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them.
To describe the types of bonds, let’s use an example of buying your neighbor’s car. Your neighbor decides the price of the car and how they would be paid. Similarly, the court (meaning a police or bail officer, clerk of court, bail magistrate or judge) determines the bail amount and how it would be paid. Here are different options that the seller of the car or the court might consider:
You could pay full asking price for the car in cash. This is similar to paying cash bail. The full amount of bail would be paid to the town or county clerk or at the jail. Cash, cashier’s checks and credit cards are usually accepted. A Florida bondsperson will not write a bond for under $250.
Surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
You can put a deposit down for your neighbor’s car and sign an agreement that the car will be paid off at a later date. Cash percentage in lieu of bonds is when the defendant pays a percentage of the bail amount, usually 10%, to the court which then holds the money until the case is over.
The amount is returned to the person who paid the 10% after the case is over. In most cases, the full amount is not returned if there are court fees or fines due. This is a type of surety bond if another person signs the bond paperwork.
You could sign an agreement that if the car were not paid off, that your neighbor would get your house or something of value.
A property bond is a bond that the courts might consider in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).
Usually, the property must be in the same state as the courts, and it must be worth at least 1 ½ - 2 times the amount of the bond.
There are multiple court fees involved to execute a property bond with the courts and a tedious process to get the property deed back. This is another type of surety bond if another person or a bond company is used to secure the bond.
You could also go to a local bank and take out a car loan offering property or anything of value for collateral. You may get someone to co-sign on the loan and offer their property. The bank charges fees, interest and could keep your property if you did not pay the loan back, or even on time.
A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a “loan” called a bond. The percent that they charge is fixed by the state and cannot be negotiated. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met.
With a property bond, the property deed would need to be signed over to the bondsperson and everyone on the deed would need to be involved.
A bondsperson might consider a transfer bond that is transferable across state lines but generally a bond company will only assume the loan to adjoining states. For a Florida resident arrested in another state, bond companies will do transfer bonds but the person putting up the security has to be a Florida resident.
Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety and ultimately, they can send a bounty hunter to bring you to court if you flee. A bondsperson does not have to give you a bond if the defendant seems to be too much of a risk.
Ask the bondsperson to explain all the costs: percentage, fees or court fees. There is never a reason to rush through signing the paperwork with a bond company. Make sure that everything told to you is in writing and that you understand what you are signing. Ask questions, and if you feel rushed or don’t understand the contract with the bond company, you might want to call another one.
(There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information. A bondsperson will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)
Does Manatee County have bail?
Yes, Manatee County has bail and recognizes most types of bonds.
As of January 1, 2024, Florida moved to a statewide uniform bond schedule.
Under most circumstances your bond amount is set during the booking process, and you are eligible to bond out prior to going to court. Prior to January 1, 2024, each county set their own bond schedule. For more serious crimes, bond will be set at the first appearance.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Manatee County?
Florida offers bail in the form of cash bail or surety bond and bonds from a professional bondsperson.
Who can set bail in Manatee County?
Under most circumstances your bond amount is set during the booking process by a judge, and you are eligible to bond out prior to going to court. Prior to January 1, 2024, each county set their own bond schedule.
For more serious crimes, bond will be set at the first appearance. Bail is set by a judge in accordance with a precalculated schedule based on the seriousness of the offense.
When is bail set in Florida?
In most cases bail is set immediately after arrest, based on the precalculated schedule. If a defendant is not eligible for immediate release bail may be set by a judge at the initial court hearing, or arraignment.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Manatee County Florida?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the judge know at your initial appearance. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Manatee County, who can pay bail for me?
Monetary bail may be posted by any friend or relative. Surety bonds are only accepted from registered bail bond agent. Bail may be posted at the county jail where the defendant has been charged. Please contact Manatee County Jail at 941-723-5132 for information related to types of payment accepted, hours of operation, and location.
The person posting bail should be a relative or close friend, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back.
A surety is not responsible for court fees or paying off personal debts for the defendant. A professional bondsperson who is approved by the State of Florida could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Manatee County Florida?
Some counties do accept online payment. Other only accept cash, money orders, or cashier’s checks. Contact the Manatee County Jail at 941-723-5132 for more information regarding accepted forms of payment.
What options are there to pay bail in Manatee County Florida?
Cash or surety bond. Surety bonds are only accepted from registered bail bond agents. Bail may be posted at the county jail where the defendant is charged. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted: Go to the Manatee County Jail for more information about posting bail in Manatee County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Florida?
Money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished. There may be fees, restitution (money to pay for damage caused by the crime) or fines that come out of that amount. If you used a bondsperson, you would not get your 10% back. Property is returned by the court or bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Manatee County?
The judge or officer who sets bail determines which kind of bond will be an option however personal recognizance bonds are not offered in Florida, leaving few options for no money up front.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Florida?
The Manatee County Jail or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies, but they cannot recommend a specific company. You are not obligated to use the first company available and can call several companies to compare what kind of bonds that the bondsperson is willing to execute.
The percentage of bail that the bond company can charge is set, usually at 10%, by the state and cannot be negotiated.